“But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Get ready and go [south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is a desert road.) So he got ready and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Now the passage of Scripture which he was reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to slaughter; And like a lamb that is silent before its shearer, So He does not open His mouth. In humiliation His justice was taken away; Who will describe His generation? For His life is taken away from the earth.” The eunuch answered Philip and said, “Please tell me, of whom does the prophet say this? Of himself, or of someone else? ”Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him. As they went along the road they came to some water; and the eunuch *said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he ordered that the [chariot stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch no longer saw him, but went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:26-39 NASB)
I shared with a Bible Study class that I was not going to write this meditation, especially using the title above. But this morning, I could not help myself. It was not my call to make. Now before I go on, be sure to pass this meditation on to a few brothers, some men you know, either in the church or “not yet” in the church. Perhaps you can help change the latter to the former.
The title above was to grab your attention. The opening verses share the account of the Ethiopian eunuch. That’s where the men say “Ouch.” For what man really wants to be like this man who had been castrated, especially to guard the women’s living areas at an oriental court. Well put the castration picture out of your mind and cast your spiritual eyes on why we should be like the Ethiopian eunuch. It will benefit both men and women.
The topic came up in our Bible Study class when I asked about the difficulty in understanding The Book of Revelation, our current study. The response in general, due to all the symbolism and the various, varying interpretations one can find, prompted participants to, “Yes! Very difficult.” I followed up with another question, inquiring if class attendees were at all like the Ethiopian eunuch. The answer again was in the affirmative. Good answer! For actually, there are ways in which we should mimic the eunuch. Look at the text above and see what behaviors he shows us that we should emulate. (1) He had the written word. (2) He not only had the written word in His possession, but he had a personal interest in what was in the word. (3) He was reading the word, reading Isaiah specifically. (4) He recognized the need to have someone explain the word to him, someone directed by the Lord to do so. In our passage it was Phillip. In your life it just might be your pastor or even some other person who understands the Scriptures. (5) He genuinely listened to the word. He had ears to hear. (6) He asked his question to make sure he had an accurate understanding. (7) He endured preaching for he viewed it as beneficial. (8) He responded to the word. (9) He believed and left better at the end, then he was at the beginning of this scriptural account. (10) He gave evidence of the fact that he had been born again by means of obviously believing and being baptized. (11) He went away rejoicing, not relieved that “church” or “Bible Study class” was over, and not thinking, “Glad that’s over.” (12) He took back something to Ethiopia. You already know that when a believer scatters, or goes to other places, they take the word with them. Perhaps you can add to my list of 12 ways we should be like the Ethiopian eunuch. Twelve, symbolically point to completeness, but don’t limit yourself to that number. Meditate and make your own additions to my list.
Now, that did not hurt, did it? It helped, did it not? Have a wonderful Friday! Hmmm? Maybe I should have saved this for my Father’s Day sermon. Nah! Got to be obedient! God be with you! Be blessed!
“The one who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15 NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King